First-year Taylor Quinn is off to a solid start for the Columbia women's lacrosse team this season. Through two games, Quinn has five goals, 11 ground balls and 14 draw controls. The first-year was recently named to the Ivy League Weekly Performance Honor Roll on Tuesday, March 4 for her two goal, eight ground ball and seven draw control performance against Brown this past Saturday.

There has been early talk this year about the impact of the first-year class. What goals do you have for your first-year coming this season?

I have a lot of goals and the team has a lot of goals. One of my goals is to be the best I can possibly be for the team and to keep getting better as a player. I know that our team has so much potential and I know that we can do some amazing things. I want to be the best for them because they deserve it.

You lead the country in ground balls per game at 5.50 and lead the team in both ground balls (11) and draw controls (14) so far this season. How have you felt your play has been through the first two games?

When I play, I just do me I and I don’t usually think about anything, I leave everything out on the field so I know when I come off I have done everything to help my team do their best. I usually don’t focus on stats, whenever I step out on the field I do whatever feels right.

It feels amazing to be on the field with my teammates because they have helped me adjust so much. During the first two games there were nerves throughout the game, but once that starting whistle was blown nothing else mattered. That being said, it is still very early in the season and as shown in the first two games I still have much to improve, and I can’t wait to keep playing and getting better with every game and every practice.

What’s been the biggest adjustment or transition for you coming from high school to playing for Columbia?

The biggest adjustment from high school to college was the speed of the game. Everything moves so much quicker than in high school. The team was very welcoming and they helped me adjust very quickly so it was not as hard as I first imagined.

All of you train hard and work hard constantly. What motivates you on a daily basis?

There are many things that motivate me every single day. I think what motivates me most is my teammates. We all work so hard every single day to make each other better. I know what our team is capable of, and I know what we can do, and that fact motivates me to work ten times harder. How much they all care for lacrosse makes me care a million times more, I love lacrosse and they keep me wanting to play every single day.

FUN FACTS

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Movie: She’s the man

Favorite Book: The Great Gatsby

Best Meal Ever: My mom makes a really good grilled chicken sandwich with grilled chicken, provolone cheese, and red peppers on focaccia bread. It is my favorite meal, and I would eat it every single night of the week if I could.

Favorite Athlete: Tom Brady

Describe the best goal you feel you scored: The best goal I think I scored this year was during the brown game. It was the first goal of the game for our team, and it felt great! I took a few shots against their goalie but I could not get it past her, it was frustrating. I finally got another opportunity